THE beautiful people were out in force on a balmy Wednesday night at Clarke Quay earlier this month.

More than 300 models – male and female – twirled, strutted and vamped it up, desperate to land the catwalk gig of the year. Blonde stunners from Russia went chic to chic against leggy lasses and lads from Australia, nymphs from Indonesia, and sultry beauties from Brazil.

Poses were struck and attitudes projected before a panel of stylists, show producers and other local fashion heavyweights.

The competition was stiff, but then the prize was about as plum as it gets – the chance to work the catwalk wearing the latest collections of style superstars Roberto Cavalli, DSquared and Marchesa at an international festival later this month.

The prize for Singapore is pretty plum as well: This is the chance to finally establish itself as the region’s prime fashion hub, after some false starts left many in the industry frustrated and cynical.